Salt Papi Slams' Biased Ref' Over Early Ferguson Stoppage At Misfits 22

[FrenzyMaster]

Salt Papi, yeah, Nathaniel Bustamante himself, blew up after referee Benny Decroos called an early halt to his fight with Tony "El Cucuy" Ferguson. I’m FrenzyMaster, and let’s look into the recent Misfits Boxing 22 in Manchester. Papi's still on his feet, not crumbling, not wobbling, but the ref jumps in during round three after Ferguson's flurry. Papi wasn't having it. He protested right away, telling everyone he could still throw back.


Fans stormed social media with hot takes, and now everyone's asking the same thing. Are the refs in celebrity boxing playing it fair, or is consistency flying out the window?

The Controversial Third-Round Stoppage​

While the opening rounds showed Salt Papi in control, landing cleaner shots and building an early lead, the controversial stoppage came late in the third round. Ferguson pressed forward with a flurry of punches, and with roughly 20 seconds left in the round, referee Benny Decroos stepped in to wave off the fight.

Salt Papi reacted instantly, pointing at the referee in anger and insisting he wasn't hurt. Many fans echoed his frustration, pointing out that Darren Till's knockout over Luke Rockhold later that night was allowed to play out under far riskier conditions. The contrasting refereeing styles only fueled debates about inconsistency.

Salt Papi's Post-Fight Reaction and Claims of Referee Bias​

After the stoppage, Salt Papi stormed around the ring in visible frustration. During his post-fight interview with The Fighting Conversation, he accused the referee of unfairness.

"I had to put my hands up, and then the referee just stepped in, and there were only like 20 seconds left on the counter," Salt Papi said. "It wasn't like I got knocked out; it was the ref. The ref was a bit biased. The other refs were acting differently for all the different fights. Like Luke Rockhold, he was knocked down on the floor, and the ref was still counting."

He later doubled down at the press conference, saying fans were "robbed of a proper fight." Salt Papi added that he purposely slowed in round three after winning the first two rounds, telling his corner he was taking a brief rest.

OJ "The Juice" Ferguson's Professional Boxing Debut Performance​

Misfits 22 was Tony Ferguson's official pro boxing debut, not OJ Ferguson's, and it ended with his hand raised via TKO. While the result gave him a 1-0 start in boxing, the stoppage drew criticism for overshadowing his performance. Ferguson flashed aggression and veteran composure, but many fans questioned whether he truly earned the win, given how abruptly the fight ended.

For Salt Papi, the loss snapped his two-fight win streak and dropped him to 4-3 overall. The debate around referee Benny Decroos' decision has since stolen much of the spotlight from Ferguson's victory.

The Rules and Standards for Stoppages in Celebrity Boxing Events​

Celebrity and influencer boxing often has rules that put the safety of the fighters ahead of the rules of professional boxing. Referees step in quickly if a fighter looks like they're losing, but fans get angry when calls are not consistent between fights.

Salt Papi himself pointed out this inconsistency by saying that other fighters that night, like Luke Rockhold, were allowed to get back up after being knocked down. Some people say that the early stoppage hurt the integrity of the competition, especially since Salt Papi is known for coming back strong under pressure.

Fan Reactions and Social Media Fallout Following the Disputed Decision​

The backlash was immediate. Fans flooded Twitter and Instagram with slow-motion clips of the fight and blasted the stoppage. Many felt the decision was premature since he was covering up and not visibly staggered.

Not everyone sided with him, however. Some defended referee Benny Decroos, arguing that he was prioritizing safety, especially against someone as seasoned as Tony Ferguson. Still, the majority of posts argued that officials denied Salt Papi a fair chance to continue, which intensified calls for a rematch with stricter officiating standards.

Frequently Asked Questions​

Will Salt Papi Request an Official Review of the Referee's Decision?​

Salt Papi pushes for an official review soon. His accusations of bias suggest he won't accept the outcome without challenging the referee's decision through proper channels.

Could This Controversy Lead to Rule Changes for Misfits Events?​

Yes, this controversy could trigger rule changes for Misfits. You'll likely see them implement clearer stoppage guidelines and potentially introduce video review to prevent similar officiating disputes in future events.

Has This Referee Been Involved in Other Controversial Stoppages?​

There's no information in the provided knowledge about this referee's history with other controversial stoppages. You'd need to research their past officiating record to determine if this is a pattern.

What Financial Impact Will This Have on Both Fighters?​

Salt Papi loses potential rematch earnings while facing promotional uncertainty. Ferguson might benefit from controversy-driven interest, though both fighters' credibility and future purse values could be affected long-term.

Are There Plans for a Rematch Between Salt Papi and Ferguson?​

There's no official rematch announcement yet, but you'll likely see one given the controversial stoppage. Salt Papi has expressed interest, and Misfits Boxing could capitalize on the unresolved tension between the two fighters.